WRITES
VARIOUS KINDS
OF POSITION
PAPERS
LESSON 3 - English for Academics and
Professional Purposes
Shout OMSIM, if the practice is a good one. Write B, if
it’s not.
_____1. Anjo considers all possible views
on the issue at hand.
_____2. Cristina boasts about her
credentials to establish her credibility as
a writer.
_____3. Glen primarily uses opinions and
fallacies in supporting his arguments.
_____4. Dave uses emotional appeal in all
of his position paper because it is the
best type of appeal.
_____5. Imee restates her position in the
concluding paragraph.
POSITION PAPER
presents the
writer’s stand or
viewpoint on a
particular issue.
Issue Criteria
To take a side on a subject, you should
first establish the arguability of a topic
that interests you. Ask yourself the
following questions to ensure that you
will be able to present a strong
argument:
• Is it a real issue, with genuine
controversy and uncertainty?
• Can you identify at least two distinctive
positions?
• Are you personally interested in
advocating one of these positions?
• Is the scope of the issue narrow enough
to be manageable?
INTRODUCTION
a) Analyze the source/quote: pull it apart sentence by
sentence and explain the
meaning of the source both in general terms and more
specifically
b) Identify the perspective the source/quote reflects:
c) Explain your understanding of that ideology (discuss
key underlying beliefs or
political principles or economic principles)
d) State your position. Do you agree with the ideological
perspective or not?
NOTE:
If taking a qualified position, state it clearly and
precisely.
BODY
a) Explain your first reason to support your position
b) Factual, relevant and accurate evidence to prove your
first argument
c) Explain your second argument/reason
d) Factual, relevant and accurate evidence to prove your
second argument
e) Explain your third argument/reason
f) Factual, relevant and accurate evidence to prove your
last argument
NOTE:
In General, the strongest/best argument should be the
last. Others would advise the first argument by the
strongest/best; never the middle argument.
CONCLUSION
(Summarize, restate in a forceful manner your
position)
NOTE:
Please remember that the conclusion should
not merely be a brief repetition of your
results – in that case your discussion would
seem fairly pointless. Focus instead on what
your results may imply after careful
consideration (consideration that you
have outlined in your discussion).
1. Choose an issue. When choosing one, keep the following
guidelines in mind.
• The issue should be debatable because you won’t be able to make
a stand if the topic is not debatable.
• The issue should be current or relevant.
• The issue should be written in a question from and answerable by
yes or no.
• The issue should be narrow and manageable.
2. Begin the writing process by conducting an in-depth research on
the issue.
3. Make sure to define unfamiliar terms when you first mention
them.
4. Be aware of the various positions about the issue and explain and
analyze them objectively.
5. Reflect on your position and identify its weaknesses.
6. Cite valid and reliable sources (3 or more) to
establish the credibility of your arguments.
7. View the issue in a different perspective so you
can present unique approach.
8. Limit your position paper in two pages.
9. Analyze your target readers and align your
arguments to their beliefs, needs, interests, and
motivations.
10. Summarize the other side’s
counterarguments and use various evidence and
data to refute
them.
11. Use an active voice as much as possible to
achieve dynamic and firm one.
12. Arrange your evidence logically using an
inductive or deductive approach.
13. Check your argument for fallacies and eliminate
them. Fallacies, or errors in reasoning weaken your
argument.
14. Use ethical, logical, and emotional appeal. An
ethical appeal relates to your credibility and
competence as a writer; a logical appeal refers to a
rational approach in developing an argument; while
an emotional appeal uses arguments in a way that
evokes feelings.
Writing with
style and 01 Diction
clarity
02 Paragraphs
03 Transitions
Writing with Grammar and
style and 04
Spelling
clarity
Plagiarism
05 and academic
honesty
